At a very luxurious Gotham hotel, a mysterious man and a staff worker entered an expensive penthouse. The valet put the man's usage down and gestured to the room.

“The penthouse suite as you requested. Finest view in the city.” He then held out his hand, expecting a tip. The man walked right past the valet. “Will you need anything else, sir?” The valet asked, mildly annoyed. 

The man took off his trench coat to reveal a nice white suit. “Privacy.” Was all he stated as he walked over to the balcony. The man looked over the view of Gotham with a blank expression until a mosquito flew near.

His eyes trained the flies every movement, and he watched how the insect bit him on the hand before flying off.

Angered, the man pulled out a blowgun and, with grim accuracy, shot the tiny fly. He smiled, seeing his prey dead.

~8~

Meanwhile, in the Evergreen Recycling Center, Batman and Nightwing were busy surveying a group of chop shoppers. “You were right. They’re into recycling big time,” Batman told Bruce through the coms. “There’s only one hitch. Those cars are stolen,” Bruce responded. “Guess it’s time we make our cue,” Nightwing teased. 

A thug operating a claw machine turned around to see the two heroes coming right at him. Batman kicked the guy down as he and Nightwing landed on a car. The rest of the criminals were alerted and started coming at them. “Slag them!” One cried out.

Two thugs got close to the car but were met with the hood to their faces courtesy of Nightwing. While she blasted off to deal with some other guys, a man with a heated metal blade swatted at Batman. The blade’s heat plus the manpower behind it caused the car Batman was on to split in half. 

Startled, he fell to the ground. But the thug persisted and tried to hit him. Batman rolled left to right dodging the blows. “Oh, and Terry, there was one other thing,” Bruce interrupted.

“Yeah?”

“Your mother called. She wants you to pick up some milk on the way home.”

“Milk!?” Eliana heard her boyfriend exclaim. She would've busted out laughing had she not been preoccupied with not getting bashed in by a crowbar. 

“Uh, that’s gonna have to wait,” Terry replied. Suddenly, the man he was dealing with was hit from behind. Terry looked up to see his girlfriend smiling as big as a joker.

“Milk huh?”

~8~

The next morning, Terry was shaken awake by his mother. “Huh, what?” He asked groggily. “Did you get the milk last night?” Mary questioned. Terry’s eyes widened, “Jeez, mom, I forgot, I’m so sorry. I was totally slagged.”

After stopping the shop choppers, he and Eliana were called away to stop a heist. He totally forgot the errand he was expected to complete. 

Mary looked at her son disappointedly. “Ter, I know you’ve been working hard for Mr. Wayne and I’m really proud of you, but I need your help too. Keeping this house running isn't easy-” “Especially when you're studying for that stupid exam,” Terry cut in with a grumble. 

Mary frowned, “Look I need to pass that certification to get a promotion at work. It’s hard, but I just can’t do everything alone.” Terry sighed. He knew his mom had been struggling to keep the family afloat after his dad’s untimely passing. And it wasn’t fair to chew her out.

“I know, I’m sorry, I’ll pitch in more. I promise,” Terry vowed, placing a comforting hand on his mother’s shoulder. Her relieved smile made him happy.

~8~

A maid knocked on the penthouse door to provide any room service. Hearing no answer, he opened the door but gasped at what she saw. The room had been redecorated and now resembles an African lair.

She jumped and ran from the room when the guest of the penthouse yelled at her to go away.

The man locked the door and walked over to the center of the room where his campfire was lit. He dropped his cloak to reveal a long pink scar from his neck down to his back. On his body were several black splotch tattoos. He wore nothing but a loin cloth and some gauntlets.

Crouching down, the man dipped his finger into some black ink and painted a stripe on his chin. He then drew a very specific bat symbol.

With his ceremony done, he extends his retractable spear and heads out into the city.

The Stalker was ready to catch his prey.

Eventually, coming to the Casemore Tribal Arts Gallery, he forces his way in. He was ready to set up his trap.

On their nightly patrol, Batman and Nightwing were perched on a building. “Remember, I promised my mom I’d be home early tonight so she could study for her test,” Terry reminded Bruce. “First things first. I just picked up a break-in at the Casemore Tribal Arts Gallery.” 

“We’re on it,” Eliana answered as they started flying to the location.

When they arrived, they quickly spotted where the assailant broke in. “Sloppy. Whoever did this must’ve wanted company,” Nightwing commented. They jumped through the broken window and landed inside the gallery. “You should see this place. Antiques, relics, you’d feel right at home, B,” Nightwing joked. “Cute,” Bruce said dryly. 

The duo continued to search around. Nightwing had the sense they were being watched and looked around warily. Her hunch was right. Hearing a shot fired, she pushed Batman out of the way of some electrified stakes. “Woah, the natives are restless,” he said.

“Come on out!” Nightwing demanded, her fists up. Whoever they were dealing with had fast reflexes and advanced abilities because both heroes were kicked in the back.

Both recovered to see an African man dressed very culturally. Nightwing ran at the man head on, unholstering her escrima sticks. Her sticks collide with the man’s staff, and they engage in a tense battle. The man expertly caught one of her sticks and kicked Nightwing's feet, making her tumble. 

Sparring her no glance, the man advanced on Batman. “Is that all the fight you have in you?” The man asked after his staff hit Batman’s jaw. The heroes flipped all over the place, avoiding any more hits. 

At one point, Batman managed to step on the staff and, while it was pinned, took the opportunity of punching the man. Nightwing took over and continuously punched the man. “Who are you?” She growled as the man stumbled backward.

“I am the Stalker!” He said, wiping away the blood dripping down his chin. He cracked his neck both ways and smiled sadistically. “Ready to call it quits?”

Nightwing went to punch him again, only for the hunter to catch her fists. She tried her other one and it was also caught. Nightwing grunted in pain, Stalker’s grip was inhumanly strong. 

Stalker headbutted her and leaped over to Batman. But instead of attacking Batman, Stalker threw a gas pellet. Nightwing heard her partner cry out. “Terry, are you alright?” Bruce asked in concern. Terry coughed but was seemingly fine. “Yeah, but our huntsman’s gone,” he reported back. 

Terry was right, Stalker had left. The hunt was still on.

~8~

Terry ran as quickly as he could. He was already late to watch Matt. “Mom, Matt. Sorry, I got hung up,” Terry huffed out, bending over in exhaustion. His mother stood up from a bench and walked over to him, “Terry you knew I was counting on you,” she scolded. “Someone’s gonna get it,” Matt teased. Terry glared at him, “Zip the lip, twip.”

His mother interrupted, “Look, I’ve gotta run. You boys are on your own for dinner. Stay out of trouble.” She gave her sons a quick kiss and left. 

“Don’t worry about us, we’ll be fine,” Terry assured. He turned to Matt with a smile, “So, where do you want to eat?” “How about Cheezy Dan’s!” Matt suggested excitedly. Terry refrained from rolling his eyes. “Again?” He listened to his brother’s rant. “Yeah, it’s the greatest. They’ve got pizza and games and all kinds of cool stuff!”

Deep underground in the sewers, Stalker was watching Terry from afar. Through his electronic eye, Terry's silhouette glowed brightly.

At Cheezy Dan’s, Terry hands some money over to his antsy brother. “Terry!” The teen looked over to see Max heading their way. It was comforting to know he’d have someone to converse with.

“Hey, Max, what are you doing here?” “Playing Fragatron 3000. The games here kick!” She answered. “See I told you,” Matt remarked before running off to play.

“Surprised Eliana’s not here,” Max commented. “She’s out...you know.” Terry implied uncomfortably. It was still weird talking about his other life to Max. Max nodded with a small smile, “Ahh, I got it.” 

A swift shadow casted over Terry, and he looked up in time to see Stalker uptop the building's roof. “Max, I need to call my boss. Can you look after the twip till I come back?” Seeing her friend’s distress, Max agreed without any hesitation.

Terry dashed out of the place and dialed the Batcave, “We got trouble.” “What is it?” Bruce asked immediately. “Stalker, he’s tailing me,” Terry explained. “Try and lose him, I’ll alert Eliana and see what I can come up with,” responded Bruce.

Terry raced through the streets of Gotham. He weaved through traffic; almost getting hit in the process. Sprinting down an alleyway, a joker appeared from the shadows with a pie. “Your money or a pie!” He didn’t have time for idiot clowns. “Some other time,” he said, not stopping, punching the Joker in the stomach.

The joker doubled down in pain and looked up to see Stalker. Stalker pushed off the Joker’s head, making the clown face plant into his own pie.

Terry vaulted over a wall and expected the alley way only for a police car to stop him. “What’s your hurry, kid?” One officer asked. Now he couldn't run from the police or else they’d end up pursuing him as well.

“You’ve gotta help, officer. This nut with a spear’s after me,” he explained. The two officers enhanced dubious looks. Of course, they didn't believe his story.

“A spear, huh? That’s a new one. Can you describe him?” The other officer asked. “Six-foot-four, half-naked, tattoos all over his body. You can’t miss him.” You’d have to be blind in order to do so.

“Uh huh. May I see your I.D?” “I’m not scamming. Check it out!” Terry pleaded, pointing back to the alleyway. With a scoff, an officer obliged. His cry was heard not too long after. The other officer went to check on her partner when Stalker leaped out from the shadows and knocked them unresponsive.

To hopefully gain some distance, Terry entered a train station and managed to get on a train before it’s doors closed. His cell phone rang, and he answered. “I don’t think I shook him. Anything info on this guy?” Terry inquired.

“According to Interpol files, Stalker is a big game hunter who’s wanted on three continents for poaching. He only goes after the most dangerous predators.” 

“So why’s he on my case?” Bruce didn't have an answer for that. All of a sudden, a spear broke through the top of the train, causing people to shout and panic. Terry ran further down the train car, avoiding the rapid strikes. Then, an idea came to him when he passed by a homeless man.

As the train stopped at a station, Stalker glanced at the exting passengers and spots Terry. He pounces on what he believed was his target, only to be enraged that he caught a homeless man wearing the jacket his prey did.

Inside the now moving train, Terry called the batcave. “I lost him,” he told his mentor. “Good. Eliana is out searching for Stalker as we speak. In the meantime, you better get to the cave to uncover how that hunter even tracked you.”

“That’s gonna have to wait, I have to get back to Matt.” Speaking of his little brother, Terry hoped he was alright.

It took a bit of time to get back to Cheezy Dan’s but when he did, Terry went straight to Max. “What happened to you?” Max raised an eyebrow, watching as Terry practically collapsed next to her in exhaustion. “Long story. Where’s Matt?” “In the tubes.” Max nodded over to the play place in front of them. 

Terry moaned, “Great, I’ll never get him out of there.” “Come on, twip, time to go,” he called out into the tube entrance. He was frustrated to hear no answer. “I’m warning you, don't make me come up there.” Again, there was no response.

Crawling through the tubes, Terry called out for his brother repeatedly. His stomach clenched, and he began to feel a twinge of nervousness. ‘He’s fine, probably making me climb in here for fun’, Terry reasoned in his mind. 

His hope fell when he came to a part of the tube that had been ripped off. But that wasn’t the sight that made his heart lurch. No, it was seeing his brother's yellow jacket hanging on top of a hunter’s knife.

The Stalker had kidnapped his brother.

~8~

Terry was senseless. Coming back to the cave was a blur. He distinctly remembered his girlfriend taking care of him, whispering softly. He was ushered into the cave showers to cool off. Terry barely even felt the drops of water hitting his skin. 

When he was finished, he walked over to where Bruce was analyzing his clothes. “Just as I suspected. That flash grenade covered you and everything you touch with a microscopic phosphorus powder. When viewed through a special lens, you must’ve stood out like a Roman candle.”

“So that’s how he tracked me and how he found Matt,” Terry looked away in guilt. “It wasn’t your fault,” Eliana chided. “But if anything happens to him…” Terry choked up.

“I found this in your brother’s jacket pocket.” Bruce held up a CD and inserted it into the batcomputer. A map was displayed on the screen showing a specific highlighted location. 

“It’s a map,” Terry stated. “No, it’s a trap,” Eliana corrected. Stalker took Matt for a purpose; he was bait. And they, or more specifically Terry, would take it. They had no choice. 

“Hey,” Eliana cupped one of Terry’s cheeks, “we’re going to save your brother. He’s gonna be alright.” Terry grabbed her hand and held it to his chest. “I’m scared, Ellie. If Matt got hurt because of me…”

Eliana gave him a short but strong kiss. “He won’t. Stalker has him to lure you out. He has no reason to hurt him. All Stalker wants is you. But he made things personal, which he’s gonna regret because nobody messes with the people we love,” she said solemnly.

Terry kissed her hands softly, “Thank you.”

“Of course, now let’s go free your brother.”

~8~

Back at Stalker's suite, Matt was imprisoned in a cage above the floor of the veranda, which now closely resembled a jungle. “Wh-what are you going to do with me, mister? Cut my heart out? Eat my liver?” Matt asked, clutching the bars of his cage.

“Don’t be so dramatic. You are merely bait,” Stalker dismissed. He turned back to his fire and shrugged off the panther robe he was wearing. 

Matt saw the surgical scar that ran down the hunter’s back. He couldn’t help but prod. “Freaky. What happened to your back?”

Stalker turned back to Matt and began telling his tale. “A hunting accident. The panther was ruthless. And I was careless.” Matt flinched, imagining getting attacked by a panther.

“My back was broken in five places. They had to replace my spine. The operation was excruciating.” Stalker paused, remembering his painful screams during the procedure.

“But it artificially enhanced my strength and reflexes. After I recovered, I went back and, with my bare hands, got my revenge.” Stalker looked at his hands subconsciously as if they were covered in blood.

“It was easy. Too easy. I had become so powerful, np prey could challenge me. To one who lives for the thrill of the hunt, this was a tragedy.” Stalker explained sadly. “Then I heard that the legendary Batman had returned.” 

“Batman?” Matt questioned. He was shocked to hear his idol be a part of this. “I’d always imagined this Batman to be an ageless soul, inhabiting the greatest warrior of each generation. If this bat spirit really existed, it would present the ultimate challenge.”

“You want a fight, I’ll give you a fight! Let’s go!”

Stalker looked to his left just in time to see Batman fly straight into him. The assault didn’t just end there, Batman was more ruthless and brutally punched Stalker. “Impressive, you’ve drawn first blood,” Stalker praised, wiping the blood from his nose. “Now it’s my turn!” 

While her partner dealt with Stalker, Nightwing’s responsibility was freeing Matt. “Don’t worry, buddy, I got you.” Perhaps she jixed herself by saying that because when she got closer, a tile in the floor sunk and a contraption shot out. It wrapped around her ankle and sent an electric shock. 

Nightwing cried out in anguish as she was electrocuted. She tried moving her other foot only for it to be caught in another electrified contraption. Batman wasn't fairing well either. He was tangled up in some metal cables. Stalker had been very prepared for this battle, setting up multiple traps.

“You’re the legendary Batman? The dark demon of the concrete jungle?” Stalker patronized. Batman ignored the hunter’s taunts and shot out some batarangs to cut the cables. To distract Stalker, he threw some explosive pellets and blasted over to his partner.

But he couldn’t help her fast enough. A trap similar to Nightwing's, caught his foot. Stalker landed behind him and used his staff to hold Batman back. “I’ve stalked kittens with more tooth than you,” Stalker sneered. “Meow,” Batman retorted. He used all his effort to throw Stalker away. The hunter crashed into Matt’s cage, frightening the boy. 

Still being electrocuted and barely able to move, Nightwing attempted to grab her escrima sticks. She was successful and started to save up her energy to strike the trap constricting her.

“For that, I’ll drink your blood!” Stalker shouted. He was then surprised to see Batman had disappeared. The hunter cautiously approached the seemingly empty trap. Batman uncamouflaged himself and grabbed the hunters staff, jamming it into the trap. 

The trap short circuited and electrocuted Stalker. Even his scar burned. He screamed horribly and was launched back.

While this was happening, Nightwing shoved her sticks into her traps, short circuiting them. She was finally free. 

“Hunting season’s over.” Nightwing growled, grabbing the hunters staff from her partner's hands, breaking it over her knee. She tossed the pieces at Stalker.

Stalker cowered from the heroes, Batman specifically. The aftermath of being electrocuted changed Stalker’s vision. He began to hallucinate. Batman’s figure morphed into the panther that had once left Stalker maimed. 

“No. Impossible. You’re a devil! Stay back!” Stalker rushed up and sprinted away in panic. As the edge of the building approached, instead of slowing down, Stalker ran faster and leaped off. The duo ran to the ledge and saw the hunter landed on the train racks. 

A train was heading Stalkers way and the vigilantes assumed the hunter would attempt to move. To their horror, Stalker remained on the tracks, frozen in what looked like fear.

They had to look away when Stalker was hit, supposedly. The hunter was a cunning adversary, to be defeated like this...who knows..maybe Stalker was gone for good.

Matt hopped out from his cage after Batman pried the bars open. “Weird. What happened to him?” The boy asked curiously. “He was running from his own demons. Looks like they finally caught up to him.” Batman answered, staring off into the distance.

~8~

“You should’ve been there, mom. It was awesome!”

Eliana watched, amused as she, Terry, and Mary listened to Matt’s excited rambling. “Oh Matt, I was so worried,” Mary said, full of concern for her son's safety. Matt continued his story, “There was this big guy with a spear and tattoos all over his body. He put me in a big cage, too!” 

“What? Why?” Matt shrugged nonchalantly, “I don’t. Then Batman and Nightwing showed up and bam, wham, pow! They saved me!” Matt ran over to where Terry and Eliana were sitting. “Batman’s so cool, not a loser like you!” He teased his older brother.

“Hey, we can’t all be Batman.” Terry responded, ruffling Matt’s hair. The brothers broke into a tickling war. Eliana cried out when they included her, too. “Ahh, okay, okay! Hey, I brought gifts!”

That stopped Matt. “Gifts!?” Eliana nodded and got up from the couch. She walked behind it and lifted three bags in the air. 

“These are all for you, Mattie!” “Aw none for me?” Terry mocked. Eliana waved her finger, “You didn’t get kidnapped.”

She plopped herself next to her boyfriend, kissed his cheek, and snuggled into him. She observed Matt opened up the gifts and smiled, seeing the little boy all happy. "So shway! Thanks, Eliana!"

This was her family, and she wouldn’t trade them for the world.